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TSSA ScotRail members vote to strike over proposals to downgrade security

5 September 2017

TSSA ScotRail members in Dunfermline and Paisley have voted 2:1 to take strike action if the company presses ahead with it's proposal to axe security-critical 22 CCTV monitor positions. And a total of 75per cent of ballots cast were in favour of industrial action.

TSSA members are voting yes to industrial action. because because they believe cutting this number of network security supervisors is unnecessary and will expose the entire ScotRail network to increased risk, endangering passenger and industry safety.

CCTV monitors keep watch over the stations, depots and tracks across the 10,000 mile Scottish rail network. Reducing their number will leave CCTV monitor numbers severely depleted and will overstretch and overwork remaining monitor staff.

Said TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes:

"This is a resounding vote for industrial action and an overwhelming indictment staff of ScotRail by it's own security staff for playing fast and loose with passenger safety. It's also a warning to passengers and public that they are not currently safe in ScotRail's hands.

"CCTV staff are dedicated rail safety specialists.. They are the eyes who keep watch over all aspects of security. It beggars belief that ScotRail want to take this number of frontline security staff out, without first discussing other forms of reorganisation with us.

"As passenger numbers rise, our train carriages have become overcrowded and our platforms can be dangerously congested - especially in rush hour. And CCTV staff's platform security responsibilities have grown as serious ticket office, dateline and platforms staff numbers have been culled. Take out this number of CCTV staff will build blind spots into their security system across the network.

"Our members are rightly concerned that their bosses are playing Russian roulette with safety. We operate at a time when the whole UK rail network has become a frontline in the heightened national security threat and, here in Scotland, the government's decision to break-up British Transport Police(BTP) will place an extra security burden onto ScotRail to step-up the security gap.

"The clock is ticking and a strike looks inevitable unless ScotRail get back to the talking table. It's time for Scotland's Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf to stop his watching brief and instead step in and tell ScotRail to stop these dangerous and needless cuts. He has the power to do this and should act."